Aigul Akhmetshina’s rise to star status came at lightning speed. The Russian mezzo-soprano, from a remote village in the Republic of Bashkortostan, is in high demand at the world’s leading opera houses, a fact reflected in her continent-hopping travel schedule. While she clearly thrives on the energy of making music with others, its source needs to be recharged with periods of solitary retreat. “As someone who is usually very active,” she tells Apple Music Classical, “I need these quiet moments, especially after finishing a big project.” Akhmetshina’s playlist offers space for listeners to meditate on music’s power to declutter the mind and open the heart. “In Solitude, I bring together music that helps me find peace and calm,” she says. “It’s my way of inviting you to take a breath, think, and enjoy the world around you. I want people to find their own peaceful moments, embrace the quiet, and let the music help them to understand themselves better.” Her choice of music offers a blend of profound stillness and turbulent emotions. Solitude opens with Jacqueline du Pré’s overwhelming performance of Elgar’s Cello Concerto, restless yet somehow consoling. “This piece resonates with the feelings of loss and longing,” notes Akhmetshina. “Its rich and expressive melodies allow me to dive into my emotions and reflect on my experiences. Listening to it feels like a comforting embrace during moments of solitude.” Having stirred fervent emotions with Wagner and more Elgar, Solitude draws the deepest of breaths with Barber’s timeless Adagio. “This composition is a beautiful expression of sorrow and hope,” Akhmetshina reflects. “I choose it because its gentle yet powerful melodies remind me that it’s OK to feel and process difficult emotions. It creates a serene atmosphere, allowing me to connect with my inner self.” Cathartic emotions flow through Akhmetshina’s performance of “Va! Laisse couler mes larmes” (“Go! Let flow my tears”) from Massenet’s opera Werther. “This aria speaks to the heart of longing and vulnerability,” she observes. “It captures the essence of human emotion and the delicate balance between joy and sadness. It allows me to share my own journey, connecting with those who have felt similar emotions.”